We
need your help!!!!! The Torrance Police Department continues to receive reports
of suspects calling our citizens. With your assistance, we have been successful
in reducing the amount of financial loss by either knowing of the scam or using
good common sense.
To
recap, the suspects will identify themselves as IRS agents,
Southern California Edison workers, Law Enforcement personnel, or other governmental agencies, in an attempt to
get the victim's attention. The suspects will then proceed with the scam and
tell the victim they owe money for unpaid taxes, electrical bills, warrants or
bail for a family member. If the suspects are successful, they will instruct
the victim to put money on a Green Dot card or any Pre-Paid Visa/MasterCard that
can be found at any supermarket or drug store. Once the victim gives the
suspects the numbers on the back of the card, the scam is complete and the
victim will be out the money that was loaded.
If
you receive a call of this nature, ask the caller for their name and agency,
then hang up. Do not call them back at the number they provide, but rather,
obtain the agency's official number via the internet or by calling information.
When you call this legitimate number, you will likely discover that the call was
a scam. If you continue to receive telephone scams, tell the caller to stop
calling and that you will be filing a report with your police
department.
At
no time will ANY of the above agencies ask for unpaid bills/balances to be paid
by a Pre-Paid card.
We want your help in spreading the word of this crime
occurring. Talk to your family members, your friends, neighbors and
co-workers. We need YOU to be our voice within your own circle of influence to
stop this crime from occurring.
If
someone you know does not get Nixle and is interested in signing up but does not
know how, please contact 310-618-6391.
If
you have any questions or believe you have been a victim of a scam or fraud,
please call the Torrance Police Department, Economic Crimes Section, at
310-618-6363.
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